Mandolinquents
| Mandolinquents | |
|---|---|
| Genres | Folk, classical, world, humour. |
| Instruments | Mandolin, mandola, mandocello, guitar, mandobass |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Website | www |
| Members |
Simon Mayor Hilary James Gerald Garcia Richard Collins |
| Past members |
Maartin Allcock Chris Leslie |
| Notable instruments | |
| Mike Vanden and Cristofek mandolins Mike Vanden mandola and mandocello Oren Meyers guitar Rob Greenwood mandobass |
|
The Mandolinquents (also known as Simon Mayor's Mandolinquents) is a British musical quartet. It was formed by its core members Simon Mayor (mandolin, violin, guitar) and Hilary James (mandobass, vocals). In the present line up, which has been together since 1997, they are joined by Gerald Garcia (classical guitar) and Richard Collins (mandolin, 5 string banjo).
The Mandolinquents was formed in the aftermath of The Mandolin All Stars (1995 - 1997) in which Simon Mayor and Hilary James were joined by Maartin Allcock (mandocello) and Chris Leslie (mandolin, violin), both of whom are variously associated with the British folk-rock bands Fairport Convention, Jethro Tull and The Albion Band. In 1997 Maartin Allcock and Chris Leslie left to be replaced by Gerald Garcia and Richard Collins. The same year, the new line up recorded its first album Mandolinquents, with both Allcock and Leslie guesting. The new line up adopted the name The Mandolinquents and has remained together to the present day. They play regularly at arts centres and festivals within the UK and Europe, including a residency Mandolinquents & Friends since 2007 at New Greenham Arts, Newbury, England. They have been regular guests on the BBC Radio 2 programmes Friday Night Is Music Night and In Tune.
The repertoire is eclectic, and a mix of instrumental and vocal pieces. It draws on traditional music of Britain, Ireland, China and the Americas, swing, original music by band leader Simon Mayor, and adaptations of pieces from the classical repertoire for the core instrumental line up of two mandolins, classical guitar and mandobass. The bluegrass background of Richard Collins adds another dimension with occasional items featuring the 5 string banjo. Humour has always been an important feature of live performances.
Simon Mayor is a prominent British mandolinist who has produced six solo albums, four instructional books and two instructional DVDs. He has toured internationally performing and teaching on the instrument. He contributes a regular column on the mandolin to Acoustic Magazine.
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